WhatsApp disruptions fuel speculation amid PTI protest

KARACHI: Days after the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) warned the government of the severe repercussions of internet shutdowns and the possible banning of virtual private networks (VPNs), internet users across Pakistan on Saturday reported problems while using WhatsApp, a cross platform mobile messaging app for smart phones that allows users to send and receive messages, photos, and other information.

Most WhatsApp users faced issues while sending media files. According to the outage tracking website, Downdetector, users reported a maximum of 207 reports in one hour with most reports coming in around 10pm. The website reported that 67 per cent of the complaints reported they faced problems when sending messages; 16 per cent while receiving messages.

Downdetector’s heat map showed that most outages were reported in Punjab. Sporadic disruptions were seen in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In Sindh, Karachi was most affected.

Sources within the IT industry acknowledged facing problems while sharing media files. However, no one knew what the problem was. Internet service providers also faced backlash from customers due to the sudden outage of WhatsApp, with users complaining about their inability to share media files, but could not point to the cause of the issue.

In the absence of any official notification, some users linked the disruptions with the PTI’s November 24 protest in Islamabad. WhatsApp disruptions in Pakistan have become a recurring issue, particularly during events like the PTI’s protests. Officials, however, have routinely attributed these outages to technical issues or submarine cable damage.

On X (formerly Twitter), accounts affiliated with the PTI started a campaign on Saturday, requesting X’s owner Elon Musk, who also owns SpaceX, to make Starlink available in Pakistan. Starlink is a satellite network developed by the private spaceflight company SpaceX to provide low-cost internet to remote locations.